[Pride and Prejudice] Rich Lady

Aunt Gardner is a smart, witty and well-mannered woman. Although she was a little surprised when she saw that it was the older Elizabeth who was going to Taurice College, it did not prevent her from entertaining her niece warmly.

After the dinner, Elizabeth couldn't hold back and asked Uncle Gardner about the "Ming Kingdom".

Mr. Gardiner was very pleased to see her interest in it. "Young ladies should indeed look out at the world. They are always less interested in seeing lace and shawls than in hats and laces."

It's a pity that Mr. Gardner didn't know much about it. He only told Elizabeth: "When a merchant ship from the Ming Dynasty docks, it can alarm all the wealthy merchants in the city. The territory of the country is extremely vast, and the people there are exceptionally smart and capable, silk, porcelain, tea, jewelry... almost everything is amazing."

Of course, Elizabeth knew how much England favored products from her motherland at this time. In fact, oriental luxury goods were popular throughout Europe.But this is not the answer she wants: in history, it is precisely because of this kind of trade deficit that the British government is very dissatisfied. Despicable and dirty means - importing opium.

The original intention of the United Kingdom was to turn the flower-growing country with a vast territory into a dumping ground for commodities, but it did not expect that the exported woolen wool was not popular. becomes inflow.What's more, the flower country uses silver as a transaction currency, which is inconsistent with the British gold standard monetary policy, which makes the UK need to purchase a large amount of silver.The loss of profits touched the interests of the real power class in Britain, which was the introduction of the Opium War.

She could only make indirect inquiries: "Ming's products are so popular, why don't you bring more? Is it because they don't want to trade with other countries?" She still remembered some of the test points she had memorized back then. Historically speaking, the Qing government should be implementing a closed-door policy. Most of the emperor and the court held the view that 'the Qing Dynasty lacks everything and does not need to trade with Britain'.

Although I don't know why the "Great Qing" is still the "Ming Country".

Mr. Gardner smiled cheerfully at his niece's innocence, "Why do you think so?" He took a sip of Ming Guo tea, which still has a strong floral and fruity aroma after adding milk, and patiently explained: "Ming Guo is the strongest tea in the East. Great country, even the great Britain must avoid her. The fleet of the Ming Dynasty began to sail the sea hundreds of years ago, when we were fighting against France in the Hundred Years War. Later, in the noble virgin Under the wisdom of the Queen, the glorious Queen Elizabeth I, our fleet defeated the Spanish Armada, and London merchants formed the East India Company—but the arrogant fleet commander failed the Queen’s expectations and recklessly provoked the Ming Dynasty The fleet not only annihilated the Queen's efforts, but also attracted revenge from the Ming Kingdom. Fortunately, the Ming Kingdom itself has a vast territory and is not interested in expanding its territory overseas."

"The lucky boats of the Ming Dynasty are the largest, strongest and most terrifying monsters on the sea. They have reached all corners of the world before us. Even the natives of the United States, when the tentacles of the empire did not set foot in America, the people of the Ming Dynasty We have already traded with those natives. The common citizens of the Ming Kingdom are very rich because they are good at trade, and their emperor encourages trade, which makes the entire Ming Kingdom shine with gold." Mr. Gardner sighed. : "In such a powerful country, their products are loved by almost everyone, and it is already possible to own part of them because of the strength of Britain."

As he said that, he shrugged and said to Mrs. Gardner: "God knows how much I want a revolver gun from the Ming Dynasty."

Mrs. Gardner put down her teacup. "You've got two quick-fire pistols and a shotgun."

Mr. Gardner lamented: "I would rather take all my treasures, as long as I can exchange for a revolver."

The couple's jokes awakened Elizabeth, who was horrified and joyful in her heart. Elizabeth hurriedly asked, "Ming Kingdom's revolver gun? Is it more powerful than the weapons of the red uniforms?"

Uncle Gardner laughed loudly, and quickly said: "Of course, of course! Not only pistols, but also many weapons that are not found in other places in Ming Dynasty. It's a pity that their government's management is too strict. Except for the guards, the country's people Ordinary people are not allowed to own it. Our noble lords can’t get it, and there are probably only a few in St. James’s Palace in London.”

Mrs. Gardner shook her head and said, "Sure enough, young girls like red uniforms, but let me say that, except for a few people, most of them are not suitable for marriage."

This evening, the chatter about the Ming Kingdom came to an end.From Uncle Gardner, Elizabeth could not get any more details, but these one-sided and lagging news were enough to make Elizabeth's heart flutter—as long as she knew that the flower-growing country in this world was powerful and advanced, she would be happy. enough.

As for why the river of history changed its course, Elizabeth thought, there is no need to worry. If I have the opportunity to read the history books of the Flower Planting Country in the future, I believe I can always find some clues.

Perhaps the bright and bright future of the motherland added to Elizabeth's courage. After tossing and turning in the middle of the night, she was still full of energy the next day, and proposed to Uncle Gardner that she wanted to go to Taurus College as soon as possible.

The ladies are enterprising, which is what the Gardners would like to see.Even though Mrs. Gardner wanted to take her niece around London for a few days and buy some fashionable dress accessories, she readily shelved her original plan and granted Elizabeth's wish.

"Listen, Lizzie! Young girls should be more comfortable." Aunt Gardner pushed a taffeta handbag into Elizabeth's hand without refusal.Then he drove her out of the carriage and asked the coachman to carry the suitcase for the young lady.

Taurus Academy does not allow outsiders to enter.Mr. Gardner had sent a servant to communicate with the college earlier, and at this time the college had sent a middle-aged lady to wait at the door.Elizabeth said goodbye to her uncle and aunt, and stepped into the magnificent Taolisi Manor alone.

Taurice College is a typical Renaissance country estate.It has a large regular-shaped garden surrounded by plants and plants, and the towers, gables, railings and chimneys are all in a typical classical style.In the center of the spacious courtyard is the main building. There are a large number of huge glass windows on the outer wall of the main building. There is a large yard on each side of the main building. "The east side is the stable, and the west side is the kitchen and other service rooms." The lady, come to pick up Elizabeth. Mrs. Pullan said.

Before entering the main building, Elizabeth was already shocked by the extravagance of this country house: she didn’t know until recently that the current British government would impose a window tax on all residents in the territory, and the exemption amount was only nine. In the case that the entrance is also counted as a window, the more the excess is, the more expensive the tax rate will be.Not only that, although glass is no longer a luxury, large pieces of glass are still very expensive, and the process of installing glass windows at this time is very complicated and requires a lot of labor.I don't know how much money will be spent on the glass windows of the main building alone.

"Miss, please come this way." Mrs. Pulan was also secretly looking at Elizabeth. Seeing that she saw only a little surprised expression inside the college, she secretly labeled this lady as calm and steady.

Mrs. Pulan led Elizabeth into a small hall in the west annex building. After Elizabeth took off her shawl and asked her to sit down, she asked: "Although it is a bit long-winded, we still need to confirm in person: Your own wishes, Miss. , Are you sure you want to enter Taurus Academy?"

"Don't be nervous, you just need to answer frankly." Mrs. Pulan had a kind face and called the maid: "Leah, warm up some Genigs for this lady."

Elizabeth straightened her back and nodded to Mrs. Pulan: "Yes, madam. I want to learn knowledge and increase my knowledge."

Mrs. Pulan clapped her hands gracefully and said with a smile, "Very good. Then let me introduce you to some information about the college."

"Tauris College was funded by Countess Anne, and this manor was the inheritance of her mother, Countess Taurice. Countess Anne is also responsible for the inspectorship of the college, but the countess is busy with affairs and does not often show up at the college."

"Everyone who enters the academy, whether they are studying or working, will have a week to adapt. If they feel that it is not suitable, they can choose to leave after a week." Mrs. Pulan said unhurriedly, "Of course, the academy also has the right to Make a choice, accept or reject."

"There will be no specific courses during this week. You will have enough time to understand some of the college's regulations and learning content, and make some necessary preparations for integration into the college. For example, buying dresses and some necessities."

Mrs. Pulan said a few words, and called the maid Leah, "Take this lady to the room." Then she said to Elizabeth: "Please live in this building temporarily for a few days. Now there are a few people who are better than you The lady who came earlier is in the living room on the second floor. You can chat with each other."

"Ma'am!" Elizabeth called to stop her, "Can you tell me who proposed this new 'one-week observation system' in the academy?"

Mrs. Pulan was a little surprised, looked at her carefully, and then replied: "It's the countess's suggestion. Maybe you don't understand, the countess's grandfather was a nobleman from the Ming Dynasty. Very common and longer."

Elizabeth followed the maid Leah upstairs. Leah was about [-] years old. She was not striking but elegant. She was wearing a thick blue dress with a white cotton apron on her chest: "Your luggage has been sent to room."

Only then did Elizabeth realize that the suitcase previously placed behind the sofa had been taken away at some point.Frowning, she asked Leah, "Is Mrs. Poullan a faculty member at the academy? What does she teach?"

Liya said respectfully: "Mrs. Pulan is not a teacher. She takes care of everything. She was originally the housekeeper of Taolisi Manor."

"How long has the college been in operation? How many students are there now?"

"Three years, there are nearly sixty students. Miss, here we are."

This section of the road was too short, before he could ask much, he was led to a door on the second floor by Liya.Elizabeth stretched her head to look. There were many identical doors in the corridor, but the distance between the doors was not large, indicating that these rooms were quite small. It seemed that they were supposed to be the residences of respectable servants, but now they were transformed into temporary residences for new students.Open the door, and sure enough, the room layout is very simple, containing a small single bed, opposite the bed is a chest of drawers with brass feet, on which her suitcase is now placed.To Elizabeth's satisfaction, there was also a light Pembroke table and armchairs near the small window.

"Miss, maybe you would like to write your name on the card yourself?" Leah took out a piece of cardboard cut into the size of a palm from the first layer of the chest of drawers and asked Elizabeth.

Elizabeth took the pencil that Leah took out from her apron pocket, sat in the armchair, and wrote on the paper: Elizabeth Bennett.

Leah then threaded a cloth strip through the hole in the cardboard and tied it to the outside doorknob.It turned out that this was used as a room nameplate.

Then, Lia led Elizabeth to the small hall in the middle of the second floor, which was probably the living room that Mrs. Pullan mentioned.

In the living room, Leah left.The door was ajar, and Elizabeth knocked lightly before opening it and walking in.

Sure enough, there were a few girls sitting scattered inside.To Elizabeth's surprise, everyone was about the same age.Of the three sitting in the middle, the smaller one probably looks like Mary, and the other two look like Elizabeth.There are also two girls sitting in the corner whispering, according to Elizabeth's guess, they may be older than Jane.

"Oh, about the last lady?" said the little sorrel-haired girl sitting alone in the armchair.

The girls stood up, and the three in the middle introduced themselves politely. The girl with chestnut hair was called Daisy, the girl with freckles was called Lily, and the girl with haughty face was called Laura.

Elizabeth thought, very well, the lovely little daisies, the gentle lilies, and the noble laurel are complete.The two girls in the corner seemed to be reluctant to let go, so they gave their names "Harriet" and "Josephine" awkwardly, and hurriedly huddled together, continuing to whisper.Elizabeth raised her eyebrows secretly. If she remembers correctly, one of these two names means a housewife, and the other means a prolific woman?

It could be seen that the only six people in the small hall were divided into two groups with clear boundaries.Harriet and Josephine hardly spoke to other people, as if they had some kind of glue between them.

"Why are you here so late?" Daisy asked.

Elizabeth didn't know why, "I didn't receive a specific date for entering the academy?"

Lily explained gently: "Tauris Academy is different from ordinary boarding schools. Its semesters are similar to those of public schools, from mid-October to before Christmas, early January to April, and after Easter to mid-July. Of course, this is the first year. It is only the case that the old students will return to the academy in early September. If it is later, I think you will not have time to spend the pre-school week before the course starts."

Elizabeth counted the time in her mind, no wonder Mrs. Pollen said there was plenty of time.Even after the observation week, there are still two or three days before the start of the new semester.

Elizabeth didn't blame Uncle Gardner for not asking clearly. In fact, it was quite admirable that Uncle Gardner could immediately think of his nieces after hearing good things about the school from his gentleman friends.Elizabeth could tell that the three ladies in front of her were all from good backgrounds, at least in good financial condition.

Daisy is two days away from observation week, and Lily and Lola are four more.

Girls' friendship can grow quickly after chatting, especially Elizabeth herself is a careful observer and a good talker.

In the evening, when she returned to this small living room after having dinner in the restaurant on the first floor, Elizabeth and Daisy were already familiar with the three of them, and even the proudest Laura could say a few words.As for Harriet and Josephine, they retired to their bedrooms after supper, and refused to spend much time with them.

"Why aren't they with us?"

Laura smoothed the folds of her dress, frowned and said, "They are here to get jobs, why should they be with us?"

Only then did Elizabeth know that Harriet and Josephine came to work in the college, but "what kind of position?"

Laura showed disdain, and just said: "Probably they are the kitchen assistants, living room maids, etc., anyway, they can't be teachers."

"Why did you come to Taoris Academy?" Daisy started the topic with great interest.

Daisy first said about herself: "My father owns a boat. You know, he is rich but has no status. Compared with those famous first-class private schools, although Taolisi College is not obvious, but because of the Countess, it is considered to be among the upper class. It’s a channel of class.” She shrugged and said mockingly, “At least it will allow me to enter London’s social circles legitimately. London’s annual social season is a good way to make friends with dignitaries and famous gentlemen.”

After finishing speaking, she looked at Laura beside her. Laura was silent for a while, and said: "On the contrary, my father has the title of baron, but even the face of a nobleman is difficult to support. I have five brothers and sisters. My father The title and most of the property will be inherited by the eldest brother, and the remaining four can only find their own way out - my family is distantly related to the Countess, and the Countess is willing to admit me to school for free, so I am here."

"Tauris is indeed a shortcut, but she doesn't have a very good reputation among the nobles. But there is a shortcut, as long as she can marry a husband with property and status, who cares which girls' school the mistress has been educated in?"

Not only Elizabeth, but also Daisy and Lily were very curious about what Laura said, and immediately asked her to explain the reason in detail, Daisy whispered: "You didn't mention these words a few days ago!"

Laura rolled her eyes in an unladylike way, and snorted, "You didn't bring up such a topic a few days ago, you always pretended to talk about musicals. I didn't want to say more, but I can wait for a long time, and you will always Know."

"Then why on earth has it got a bad reputation?" Lily asked.

"Why else. You all know that our Prince of Wales has an unrecognized 'wife'?"

The first heir to the throne and the eldest son of the king, his extravagant, romantic and deviant life is an anecdote throughout England.It is said that when he was young, he was infatuated with a widow who was six years older than him and had two husbands who died. What's even more outrageous is that he even signed a marriage contract with this Maria Fitzherbert in private - of course, this is only the outside world Speculation, there is no actual evidence, but just like this, it is already a big scandal.

The marriage would of course never be recognized without the king's consent.But everyone knows that the Prince of Wales lived with the Maria for many years.Just four years ago, the Prince of Wales, who was heavily in debt, had to obey his father's order to marry his distant cousin in order to pay off his debts. However, as soon as the legal heir Princess Charlotte landed the following year after marriage, the prince and princess officially separated.The Prince returns to the estranged Mrs. Fitzherbert.

"Mrs. Fitzherbert is a commoner, and she has used up her life's luck to meet the Prince of Wales in her early years. After the prince decided to marry, this lady was far away from the prince's life circle. How did she return to the prince's life circle?" Right now, he has saved the Prince's heart. You must know that His Royal Highness is not a long-term loyal person. The Times has disclosed his lace news, with actresses, courtesans... and the Earl of Jersey who the nobles kept secret Ma'am, under such circumstances, Mrs. Fitzherbert can stand up, what do you think?"

Lily blurted out: "Could it be because of Countess Anne's help?"

Everyone was surprised, and saw that Laura really nodded.

"Almost. But the relationship with Taurus College is deeper. At that time, Mrs. Fitzherbert was pushed out of London and lived near the Taurus Manor. In the first year of the college's establishment, Mrs. Fitzherbert even instructed the students to dress .Following our Royal Highness, who is keen to support trendy and fashionable life, it is said that Mrs. Fitzherbert is also very tasteful. As a result, Mrs. Fitzherbert and the Duchess have a better personal relationship. The Duchess will occasionally hold salons and balls. This kind of social occasion was introduced by outstanding ladies in the college, and many ladies got benefits—Mrs. Fitzherbert also climbed up to a noble lady at such a ball, with the help of the lady and the countess Your Majesty, reunited with the Prince at Royal Ascot."

"This matter is not a secret. The nobles have always talked about it. The salons and balls held by the Duchess are often named 'Tauris'. Everyone said that the Taolisi Academy created opportunities for Mrs. Fitzherbert. In this way Under the lace news, how good a reputation can you expect from the academy?"

This kind of anecdote is mostly circulated among the nobles, and the other three present here have no chance to know, and they are all amazed at the moment.

"Not only that, but there are also rumors that the Countess has ulterior motives and wants to influence His Royal Highness through Mrs. Fitzherbert." Laura lowered her voice and said mysteriously, "Just like the Countess of Jersey who manipulated the marriage of His Royal Highness." , but the Countess is interested in politics."

Obviously, the ladies are still more interested in the lace news of the royal family, and they are still unsatisfied after listening to it.